Windber Area School District

FEATURED ARTICLES ABOUT WINDBER AREA SCHOOL DISTRICT - PAGE 4

To the editor: I would like to explain my position on the purchase of the Windber Community Building by the Windber Area School District. I am not, and have not been in favor of such a purchase. The proposed building project is a good compromise on which the board has been working for over two years. The need at our high school, as reported by the administration, is for small classroom spaces because of the growing number of special needs students. The law mandates the number of these children permitted to be in one classroom at any given time, and we must follow the law or be in violation.

Cassey Croner and Michael S. DeBiase were married Aug. 27 at the Holy Trinity Lutheran Church, Berlin. Rev. John Harmon and Father Gerrard performed the ceremony. The bride is the daughter of Norman and Carol Croner, Berlin. The bridegroom is the son of Michael and Pat DeBiase, Windber. The bride was escorted to the altar by her father. Matron of honor was Christy Croner, and maid of honor was Candace Croner. The bride's attendants were Missy Miller, Kelly Hankinson, Dara Sines, Stacey Carone, Shelley DeBiase and Amy Bafile Flower girl was Rylee Furstenburg.

WINDBER ? The borough building was the scene of the shortest council meeting in months on Tuesday, where several residents expressed concerns about local safety issues including adding a stop sign at a dangerous intersection. Andrew Labosky, of Somerset Avenue, said motorists regularly drive too fast up the hill toward Windber Medical Center. Labosky, a resident for five years, said the combination of speeding and school age children make the street very dangerous. Council members familiar with the street agreed.

To the editor: Apparently, another candidate has been making insinuations that, since he is the chairman of the Somerset County Democratic Party, John Vatavuk will represent only his own party and will not work for all the citizens of the county. Having served with him for 14 years on the Windber Area School District Board of Directors, I feel that I am more than qualified to make a judgment on that issue. Even though Mr. Vatavuk and I did not always see eye to eye on every issue, we were always able to put aside any differences and do what we felt was best for the students and taxpayers of the district.

John and Debra Noble and Michael and Linda Grados, all of Westmont, have announced the engagement of their children, Allyson Noble and Capt. Michael W. Grados. Miss Noble is a 1995 graduate of Westmont Hilltop High School and a 1999 graduate of the University of Pittsburgh, where she received a bachelor?s degree in elementary education. In 2005, she earned a master?s degree in literacy from Indiana University of Pennsylvania. She also received a reading specialist certification.

School board members chose a new chief for the Conemaugh Township Area School District. Director of curriculum and instruction Gary Buchsen will take over for retiring Superintendent Joseph A. DiBartola on Aug. 1. The board approved the move at Tuesday’s meeting. Although the two sides are still discussing contractual details, Buchsen will be named assistant superintendent July 1 before assuming the top administrator’s role a month later. The former elementary, middle and high school principal at Windber Area School District said he’s excited for the chance to direct the district during difficult financial times.

The Community Foundation for the Alleghenies Distribution Committee approved $134,900 of financial support to regional nonprofits during the foundation's fall 2008 round of grants. A total of $14,000 was awarded to the Salvation Army Somerset Service Center to provide relief for home heating costs and $3,000 was supplied to a project to distribute new winter coats in Bedford, Cambria and Somerset counties. Other grants were awarded to: Boys & Girls Club of Somerset County for an after-school tutoring program, $1,250 Gristmill Productions for the Mountain Playhouse International Comedy Playwriting Contest, $5,000 Herbal Gems of Somerset, an affiliate of Laurel Arts, for a garden welcome sign, $500 Laurel Arts for the project ?

WINDBER — Family and friends of a local stroke victim will be holding a “Bring Tony Home Benefit” to help with medical costs and other expenses on April 18. Independent businessman Tony Tessari, 50, did not have health insurance when he was hospitalized for a stroke on March 23, said his daughter, Amanda Tessari. “It’s been a really difficult time,” said the policewoman, who also serves as a drug awareness officer for the Windber Area School District.

The Somerset County Builders Association has announced three recipients of the 2003 Somerset County Builders Association Scholarships. They are Kyle Hillegas, Raymond Barrick and Daniel Brant. The scholarships are judged on academics and past work experience. In addition, each student was required to submit an essay detailing their interest in the building trades and how their higher education will benefit the field of construction. Kyle R. Hillegas is the son of Russ and Jeanne Hillegas of Berlin.

Local residents helped raise more than $900 for the Windber Public Library by participating in the organization's computer and electronic recycling fundraiser Jan. 17. Library association President George M. Ledney said the event was so successful that the company who handled the recycling reported that it was one of the largest loads company drivers have handled. The company, Commonwealth Computer Recycling, collected 31,024 pounds of computers, televisions and electronic equipment at the event.